Casemiro's agent Oscar Ribot has outlined the player's struggles during his period of suspension at Manchester United.
The Brazilian returns as an option for Erik ten Hag on Thursday night when the Reds host Sevilla in the Europa League. Casemiro has just spent four games out of the team after picking up his second red card of the season in the draw with Southampton in March.
United's 31-year-old missed the FA Cup victory over Fulham before the international break, as well as the Premier League matches against Newcastle United, Brentford and Everton. Reflecting on the midfielder's spell out of the team, Ribot told The Guardian that it had been a rough month for Casemiro.
ALSO READ: Ten Hag can finally restore midfield balance vs Sevilla
"Taking football away from Case is like taking food from his table, it’s like he can’t live, can’t breathe," Ribot said. "He wakes up thinking about football and goes to bed thinking about football. He watches hundreds of games: Any team, any league. I’ve seen him watch Chinese games because there is always some detail.
"He says he won’t be a coach, but he will. He’s already one in a footballer’s body. This month, he’s watched everything, calculating the points needed and the days left."
Despite just coming back from suspension, Casemiro remains at further risk of yet another spell out of the team should he get booked against Sevilla. The Brazilian has already picked up two cautions in this season's competition and a third in either the first or second leg would mean a one-match European ban.
When he first arrived at Old Trafford, some critics questioned his hunger but Ribot is confident about what Casemiro wants to achieve. "Case has signed for four years plus one," he added. "He’s come to win titles; this month has been hard, but there’s nothing else on his mind."
READ NEXT:
